Owen appears to be a beloved pop star with a number of interests—from football teams to virtual reality. As he tours the world enchanting audiences, he is also putting together a team that will help deal with a new reality: one in which the Earth is not alone in the universe.

The Blue, Beautiful World goes well beyond most stories of first contact. The people on Owen’s team encounter not one civilization, but many, with histories, government and allegiances as complex as any culture found on Earth. Navigating Earth’s entry into this galactic community is anything but simple. Even Earth itself is not as straightforward as many had assumed, with a civilization hidden in the depths of the ocean.

I was engaged from the beginning and would love to return to this world that Karen Lord has created.